Hello everyone, I could really use some help with my resume. I separated from the Marine Corps last year and I have been working very hard at completing my college degree at Montclair State University. I am in the home stretch with my estimated graduation date being June of 2016. I want to start applying to jobs this April and May. I am eager to start the next level of my career. My resume is the first part of the puzzle. Once I can get it looking good then I could move on to interview skills, etc. Any help would be amazing. Thank you all and Semper Fi.
Answers
Hello Richard - As you've already noted, there are a ton of people on this board willing to help. I found ACP's mentoring program to be the best bet for me. Honing your resume is an iterative process and working with a good mentor allows the two of you to pass it back and forth over time - I believe you will get the best results this way. While its absolutely advisable to have different people look at your resume (i.e. take advantage of the proffered offers) working primarily with the same person provides some consistency. Everyone has their own opinion on how a resume should look, so with too much advice you will find it hard to finish. Moreover, the mentor will also provide great insight (and assistance) on how to network, how to develop your brand, your elevator pitch, your interviewing skills etc...
Richard,
Thank you for your service. While I am not a resume expert, I often recommend checking out the book "Expert Resumes for Military-to-Civilian Transitions" by Wendy S. Enelow and Louise M. Kursmark . It can usually be found in your local library or on Amazon.
Good luck in your search.
Hi Richard. Feel free to send your resume over via message, and I'll be happy to provide feedback.
Ben
Richard: I would be glad to look it over for you. My email address is drewschildwachter(at)gmail(dot)com.
Is your goal still financial services?
Hi Michael, nice to meet you. I see you have a lot of great answers already, I'm late to the table but wanted to add in that I'm happy to help you with your resume. I'm nearby (live in Denville, teach at Caldwell University and consult at several local companies). I help a lot of students with resumes and linked in, and I coach leaders in business on managing their professional brand. As Audrey, Ron and other advisors mentioned, your career office at Montclair should also be able to help.
Hope to hear from you!
If you will send your resume to me next week, I will be happy to help. Cannot help this week, though.
Hi Richard. I am happy to help. More importantly, have you decided on a career direction? That can help as you craft your resume to the job, it is also vital in establishing a network within the industry (business) that you seek to join. LinkedIn and the alumni office at Montclair at great places to start building a network in order to conduct informational interviews and gain valuable information that can help during the interview. Let me know how I may help. Good Luck!
Hi Richard. Thank you for your service. I'm an MSU alumni. As a hiring manager, I've seen a lot of resumes and would be happy to help
Richard - Thanks for your service Marine! First thing I would say is stay in the Reserves. Great to stay connected and the Reserve Network is invaluable. Lots of great units in your area....at least visit a few of them. If you don't join you can stay connected and help out in other ways...
Great advice across the board here. Highlighting your achievements is key to your overall story on how you can make an immediate impact. Recommend that you do that up front on your resume as this will also help in your interview. Each achievement should show the challenge and a positive business outcome AND highlight what the private sector cares most about:
Revenue – I will always look for opportunities to grow the business
Initiative – I have a bias for action
Innovation – I will collaborate to develop new ideas
Costs – I will improve operational cost models
Reduced Risk – I will find ways to reduce risk in projects
Time to Value – I will find ways to add speed to processes
Efficiency – I will make the processes better, faster and more accurate
Project Execution – I will get-it done – on-time & under budget
Resiliency - I won’t quit when the project gets tough; I will lead by example
Teamwork – I will always work with others to maximize value
Curiosity - I will always dig in to find the root cause
Whatever it takes – I will find a way to positive business outcomes for the organization and its clients
Positive approach – I am positive in all my interactions with everyone
Self-learning – I love to learn and share best practices with peers and clients
Organization – I am highly organized and can handle a complex load of tasks
Communication & Collaboration – I will work with others to achieve results
Culture – I will fit in
Performance Oriented – I will exceed my goals and help others to exceed their goals
Glad to collaborate anytime!
Semper Fi,
Jamie Gonsalves
As the Executive Director of Career Services, I work with upcoming college graduates and would be happy to send you a sample resume and template you can use. There is no certain template you need to use, as long as it looks professional and contains the information the employers are seeking. For upcoming graduates, I encourage them to use a "skills-based" resume to showcase their skills and accomplishments. As mentioned in other answers, I would also recommend checking with the Career Services Office at Montclair State. They can assist you with your resume and your job search.
Hi Richard, I live near you, we could discuss your resume or any questions you have regarding type of jobs and industries.
Sent me a message if you are interested.
Hi Richard,
I am located at a university Career Services office and we work with our student veteran population to develop their resumes and translate their military skill sets to "civilian" language. Have you visited your career services office at Montclair State University? I'm sure that they can assist you with your resume development and give you great recommendations. I work specifically with veterans at our university on their transition needs. I will be happy to look at your resume as well if you would like to send it to me.
Audrey Magnuson
Hey Devil Dog! It's always honor and a privilege to meet another Marine!! Send me an email to kurtzbd@yahoo.com and I will provide you a copy of my private sector resume and my Federal Resume I use on USAjobs.gov They both have served me well and I actually got a lot of help from Human Resource Specialist in Federal Agencies and the private sector. What was your MOS? What are you getting your degree in? We have got to get you set up in USAjobs.gov now because ALOT of Federal Agencies, like the Defense Logistics Agency, are starting to post positions for college students and recent grads. Marines take care of Marines!!!
Semper Fi,
Brian Kurtz
1stSgt. USMC(Ret)
Good Morning Richard,
I worked specifically with the student veteran population at another university in the Career Management Center. I would be happy to review it and give you some tips. You can E-mail it here if you'd like: RomanJrr@Outlook.com
Always willing to review and help with resumes. You'll also find a couple of different articles that I've posted that present key information on resumes.
Richard,
I can help you. I am the owner of a Private Vocational School. T.H.E. Technologies, LLC.
It is Fully licensed and approved by the Department of Education, Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Approving Agency for Veterans Training.
In addition, I work directly with my clients on resume preparation, cover letters, faxes, job search, interviewing techniques, work readiness and handling the interview process.
I can help you. I have been doing this for over 30 years.
Please contact me and I will be happy to assist you.
Karen
Karen Iannici, Ph.D.
T.H.E. Technologies, LLC.
310 Main Street
Toms River, NJ 08753
732-505-9870
Karen.iannici@verizon.net
Hi Richard,
I recently lost my job and the company offered a great outplacement service. Part of that service was to help me with my resume and I got some great tips like not putting your full address, etc. I see you have got many offers from great people. Feel free to reach out to anyone. I was CFO for a cosmetics company and depending on the line of work you are looking for can also give you some pointers on where to look for jobs especially in the Finance and accounting field. Good Luck!
Dilshad Ahmed
Hi Richard - I work in Financial Services Technology with a large consulting firm. If you like, I can look at your resume. Contact me directly via the message service on ACP and can give you my email to shoot it over. Or hit me up on Linkedin
Hello --
Great responses from everyone, so I won't repeat here what they offer.
However, do remember: because of word processing today you can alter the focus of your resume to concentrate on the job/industry you're targeting. While always remaining truthful, your Goal and Objective can be altered and the order in which you list accomplishments -- and/or their 'spin' -- can be re-arranged.
All truthful, but re-prioritized to target what you're looking for.
Good luck!
JS
Hi Richard-
I am retired after a 40 year career in industry where I hired over 100 people. Now I am helping veterans like yourself by helping with their resumes. If you would e-mail me your resume in Word to (drjamesfwatson@gmail.com) I would be happy to comment on it.
Jim Watson
Richard - I'm also happy to look at your resume. Although I work in a different industry, I screen a lot of resumes and cover letters and can definitely offer some pointers for content and layout. You can email me at jenna.klueger at gmail dot com.
Hi Richard,
If you forward your resume to me via message, I'll be happy to review it. In the interim, I'm going to suggest that you think about key words used in financial services and incorporate those into your resume and into your cover letter. Because of the screening tools used by many organizations, it's important that your application materials include similar language to make it more likely to match with computerized searches.
Best to you.
Richard,
If you message me your email address I can send you a corporate and federal resume template to work off of.
My company also provides free resume critiques to all military service members. You can submit your resume to us via email or by using our secure online submission form:
Email: Info@ExpertResumeSolutions.com Form: http://expertresumesolutions.com/freeresumereview/
Please allow 3-5 business days for completion. We use two different formats for corporate and federal applications. I can send you examples of each to get you started.
Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kellywilliamsmaresca
Thank you for your service.
Warmest Regards,
Kelly Williams
Career Strategist & President
Security Cleared Careers
Expert Resume Solutions
Business: (732) 686-6455
Email: info@expertresumesolutions.com
www.ExpertResumeSolutions.com
Job Board: wwww.SecurityClearedCareers.com
Hi Richard,
Thanks so much for your service. Looks like you've got some great advice and offers to review your resume so I am not sure if you are all set. If by chance you are still working on it and would like my review just let me know- I would be happy to take a look and provide feedback. I wish you all the best in your job search ahead.
Thanks!
Celeste
Would be happy to review your resume if you want to send it via direct message. However, sounds like you've already gotten plenty of great help on this thread!
I can provide this exact aided service to you 100% free of charge through my company MCP_Independent VOB Company. I chart, design, and custom-fit resumes tailored for veterans just like yourself.
You won't find a better aid anywhere, and can help you immediately upon our initial contact by email, phone, or here through ACP Advisor Net.
EMAIL: mphd.kee.calligandes@gmail.com
PHONE: Please contact by email to set up an appointment by phone.
PRIVATE MESSAGE: Chances are email is the best form of contacting me for your VA needs, but if you do reach out to me through ACP Advisor Net in a private message, I will try to get back to you ASAP.
Thank you for your service.
I work for you, and your U.S. military families 24-7 through my veteran owned business. Resumes are my current specialty service for which I won presidential vote as artist of the year 2016 an award not yet voiced on my LinkedIn profile.
Feel free to LinkedIn.com search my profile:
Dr. Markee Cuevas
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-markee-cuevas-a27512106
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